Itinerary

Day 1 Friday Sept 24th
The Topbike van will pick up from Tullamarine Airport at 10 am or Spencer street railway station in central Melbourne at 11am.

We shall then drive to the seaside town of Apollo Bay (vehicle transfer 200km, 3 hours). Once in Apollo Bay we shall have a late welcome lunch, unpack and assemble the bikes. We will head out late afternoon for a light ride along the Great Ocean Road to the very popular tourist destination of Lorne. This ride will not disappoint. Listed as one of the ‘must do’ drives in the world, the road is perched right above the wild edge of Bass Straight.

Ride distance 35 k one way undulating (van or ride return, take your pick).That night we shall join the locals for dinner for some Good Aussie pub food.Accomodation: Apollo Bay Next 3 nights

Day 2 Saturday Sept 25th
We shall relax over breakfast, no rush today as we saddle up to ride westwards along the Great Ocean Road to the quaint coastal town of Port Campbell. Expect the ride to be a religious experience as you will pass the famous 12 Apostles along the way. Once at Port Campbell, a dip in the sea for those who wish, followed by a picnic lunch and then enjoy the return drive in the Topbike van.

This evening’s dinner will be local affair dining at one of Apollo Bay’s many fine restaurants.
Ride: Port Campbell one way 100km undulating, van return.

Day 3 Sunday Sept 26th
Another relaxing day as we prepare to ride one of the prettiest road loops you will ever see. Heading out westwards we take right hand turns towards Laver’s Hill and do a clockwise loop heading up the recently asphalted Turton’s Track. This section of road has been described as ‘single track for roadies’ as the narrow road winds its way through a deep Ferny Gulley in the Otway’s National Park. We then drop back down the Skene’s creek climb to the Great Ocean Road and complete the 110ks.

Ride: ‘West Block’ 110 km circuit undulating. Dinner tonight will be at Chris’s restaurant. The world famous cuisine has become a mecca for Gourmet travelers and tonight will not disappoint.

Day 4 Monday 27th September
We say Goodbye to Apollo Bay and ride 120km to our new hotel in Geelong. The route will take in the great Ocean road to Lorne and then we shall tackle the local’s favourite the Benwerren climb. Once in Geelong we will settle in to our new accommodation and dine on the Waterfront of Geelong for a more casual meal.

Ride: Apollo Bay via Lorne and Benwerrin Climb 120km undulating with one 10km climb (point to point as we change accommodation) Accomodation: Central Geelong next 7 nights

Day 5 Tuesday 28th September (Men’sU23 ITT)
Today we will head back down the coast in the morning to Anglesea. Here we will watch Kangaroos mix it up with the Golfers as they laze around the greens in their hundreds. We will then continue on our circuit to the surfers mecca of Bell’s beach and Torquay before returning home in time to watch the stars of the future hit out for the U23 ITT.

Dinner tonight will be at another local restaurant in Geelong. Ride undulating 80km circuit – certain sighting of Kangaroos!

Day 6 Wednesday 29th September (Women’s ITT)
The Topbike riders will take on the ITT course and compare our times with the women. For tonight’s dinner we will venture out for some fine dining on the Bellarine Peninsula. The Queenscliff hotel is situated in a 19th century Seaside hotel, dining here is described as ‘Traditional in a Grand Manner’

Ride distance about 50 km undulating loop.

Day 7 Thursday 30th September (Men’s ITT)
Lap of the Bellarine Peninsula. From Geelong we take the road to Barwon Heads, then turn down some smaller roads towards the 13 km of wild ocean stretch 13th Beach, now the regular training route for Australian rider Cadel Evans. We will continue a lap of the Bellarine Peninsula, riding through Ocean Grove and stop for a coffee in the pretty village of Queenscliff, then head on the perimeter of the peninsular with bay views ever present.

Ride distance 120km fairly flat loop. We will be back in time to watch the Pros don the aero helmets and saddle up for the ITT.

Day 8 Friday October 1st (U23 Men’s Road Race)
The U23 men have their road race today and we will do the course in the morning before them just to check up on the conditions and the best viewing locations.
Once home we can hop in the van and head out to the GPM or grab the bikes and roll over to a nearer viewing location. This evening we shall again dine in the arts precinct of Geelong.

Ride distance 1 lap around 20 km. Do as many as you like!

Day 9 Saturday 2nd October (Women’s Road Race)
The women will be warming up in the morning and we will take the opportunity for another ride commencing on the Bellarine Peninsula and then taking smaller roads to the lesser know secluded Breamlea (actually a nudist beach!), returning home via the Ceres short undulating but challenging climbs.

Who knows, we’ll probably see the men out ticking the legs over in preparation for tomorrows race.

The viewing options again are in close reach of our Hotel as the road race will be looped through Geelong. We can hop in the van, walk or take the bikes in the Civvies and pick our viewing spot.

Ride about 90 km undulating loop

Tonight we will dine in town, expect to see a few of the girls unwind at the finish of a long season. We will arrange for at least one of them to come and chat to us over dinner about the day’s experience.

Day 10 Sunday October 3rd (Men’s Road Race)

The men’s race will start in the afternoon which leaves the whole morning free for another longer group ride. We will head down the towards Anglesea and then ride the section of Great Ocean Road we have yet to cover from Anglesea to Lorne, take a coffee at Lorne and then return home keeping the sea by our side.

We shall again dine in Geelong central and being a relatively small town, you are sure to bump into a pro or two letting their hair down after the season.

Ride distance about 130 km, flattish out and back.

Day 11 Monday October 4th
This morning breakfast at the hotel, then the Topbike Van will be heading to the Tullamarine Airport for client drop off and into central Melbourne (Spencer Street Railway) for those continuing their holiday in Victoria, Australia.

THIS TOUR IN SUMMARY

• 10 nights, 11 days, $5,990 AUD
• 10 nights accommodation in two locations, 3 nights in the Apollo Bay and 7 nights in the centrally located accommodation Geelong
• ALL breakfasts and dinners, including two dinners in award winning restaurants : Chris’s of Lorne and The Queenscliff Hotel
• A welcome lunch
• Full back up vehicle and mechanical support on every ride
• Airport transfers in the Topbike Van
• A six piece Topbike cycle clothing Kit: 2 bib and brace nicks, 2 short sleeve jerseys, 1 long sleeve jersey, 1 winter thermal top
• Energy bars and carbohydrate drink powder
• Experienced cycling guides with local knowledge
• Detailed maps of all ride routes
• Airport Transfers in the Topbike Van
• Tips, coaching if requested
• Certain sighting of a Kangaroo
• Some of the most scenic riding in the world, including the Great Ocean Road, the 12 Apostles and the Otways National Park
• Non cyclists also catered for
• All particular dietary requests are catered for, just let us know

Cost: $5990 AUD (includes GST)

Cost is per person in AUD based on twin share. If you are single you will be paired to room with a person of the same sex.

* Ride distances are approximate and Topbike can cater for all ride abilities. If you want to do more or less than scheduled, an alternate ride will be possible.